Our IVF laboratory is a highly sterile and controlled environment wherein we try to mimic the conditions the sperm, eggs and embryos experience inside the female reproductive tract. Air quality, temperature and light are the known factors affecting the eggs and embryos. Not only do we strictly control these factors in our lab but we also focus on the Carbon-dioxide concentration and humidity in the Incubator just as a mother protects her embryos within her uterus. Moreover our Embryologists perform daily quality assessment and control procedures to confirm the efficient and optimal functioning of the equipments in the IVF laboratory.
AIR QUALITY is crucial for the success of IVF. Controlling air quality has beneficial effects on the results. We at Gynaecworld follow stringent regulatory standards to maintain the air quality. The zIVF-AIRe100C air purifier in our laboratory is a 5-stage filtration system that monitors not only the air quality but also adsorbs the toxic gases, chemicals and even unpleasant odors in the laboratory. The Lab+Guard LG300 improves the lab air quality making it nearly equal to clean air by providing a positive pressure to restrict the entry of outside air into the laboratory. The air passes through the HEPA filters which remove 99.97% of minute dust particles. The activated carbon removes carbon based contaminants and the Coda Filter in the Operating Room is from Singapore which helps to maintain a clean air system in the operating field.
The Carbon–dioxide concentration in the Incubators has to be maintained thoroughly as slight variations can affect the quality of the embryos which lead to decrease in the pregnancy rate. At our Center we check the CO2 % of the incubator daily to make sure the pH is maintained. The humidity in the incubator is also maintained and documented. We also have the Inline gas filters connected to the incubators to purify the incoming gas in the incubators. This works by reducing the Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), Chemical Active contaminants (CACs), bacteria and other harmful particles to the embryo.
Daily cleaning of the laboratory is done using a non-toxic and odorless disinfectant. We do not use alcohol solution as it produces VOCs which are toxic to the embryos.
Restricted access and general good hygiene are practiced at our center. Unauthorized personnel and other materials are strictly restricted. All staff working in the lab are requested not to wear perfumes or deodorants as they contain VOCs.
Regular swab tests are performed to determine the microbial count in the laboratory to check for any contamination before the eggs and sperms are placed inside.
TEMPERATURE is one of the most important physical conditions in an IVF laboratory. Slight fluctuations in the Temperature can cause detrimental and irreversible changes in the embryos, leading to the arrest in their growth. At Gynaecworld we focus not just on the temperature in the ambience and the incubators (Minc Benchtop-Cook, Australia and Heracell 150i-Thermo Scientific, US), but also the refrigerators where the culture medium that provides nourishment to the eggs, sperm and embryos are stored. Heating blocks are used to maintain the temperature of the tubes in which the eggs are collected during ovum pickup. The Spermfuge SF800 is a temperature controlled centrifuge wherein we process sperm samples at 37°C, thus eliminating any thermal shocks. The stage in the sterile Laminar airflow and on the microscopes Nikon SMZ 2B Stereozoom & Nikon Diaphot 300 Inverted microscopes under which the procedures are performed are also maintained at 37°C, thus trying to maintain the temperature as close as possible to the body temperature. Even the glasswares and disposables used throughout the procedures are pre-warmed to 37°C before use. Our egg collection room and Embryo transfer room are connected to the IVF laboratory to transfer the eggs from the tubes into the Incubator and the embryos from the incubator into the patient’s womb in the least amount of time, thus preventing as much temperature fluctuation as possible. Our Embryologists do not only rely on the temperature displayed on the incubator or in the ambience. They perform a thorough check using a GHM3230 Digit thermometer from Greisinger, Germany, which gives accurate temperature readings. Our refrigerators, incubators and heating blocks are regularly cleaned and serviced and the filters are even replaced whenever required. We even go to the extent of accepting the shipment of Culture Media only when we are provided proof that the temperature was very well maintained during the transport. As soon as the media reach our laboratory, the entire stock is quickly transferred into our temperature regulated refrigerator.
Thus a consistent and accurate temperature measurement in our IVF lab has a high impact on our success rates.
LIGHT
Oocytes and embryos need to be exposed to minimum light to avoid damage to them. Light exposure induces stress on the embryos thus increasing radical oxygen which is toxic to the embryos. Less exposure of light during egg collection, insemination of eggs, examination of fertilized eggs and before being transferred back into the patient’s womb is maintained.
EVALUATION AND DISCUSSION OF RESULTS is the key step for our high success rates. Our team regularly meets up and discusses each patient’s history and customizes the best line of treatment for them. We also evaluate factors like egg quality, in vitro fertilization rates, cleavage rates, embryo quality, pregnancy rates, recovery rate for frozen embryos, laser for Assisted Hatching (Zilos tk, Hamilton Thorne, USA) and implantation rates of fresh and Frozen-Thaw embryo transfer. Thus, each patient’s case is thoroughly studied and individualized treatment is offered. We are making use of the best possible equipment, materials and methods to achieve global results. We would like to assure you that your precious embryos are looked after by the team at Gynaecworld in the most efficient way with the use of best technology.